Analysis of 8th grade students' number sense related to the exponents in terms of number sense components

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze 8th grade students' exponential number sense in terms of number sense components. The research was carried out by twenty 8th grade students of a in a city center of Aegean region. The exponentials pairs comparison test was used to determine the interviewees. Data of the study were collected with Number Sense Scale on Exponentials. The data obtained from interviews were analyzed by using qualitative techniques. The result of the research showed that the use of numbers sense of the 8th grade students were quite low. In addition, students tended to use standard procedural solutions of short, time consuming and practical methods. Structure of question has emerged as an important factor in determining the use of number sense. Students used the equivalent representation components more successfully than the other components. But they used the other components quite unsuccessfully. Especially the research showed that students were inadequate in understanding the effects of operations on numbers less than 1.